Metalloproteinase inhibitors

ABSTRACT

Compounds of the formula (I) wherein z —O— or —S—, useful as metalloproteinase inhibitors, especially as inhibitors of MMP12.

[0001] The present invention relates to compounds useful in the inhibition of metalloproteinases and in particular to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these, as well as their use.

[0002] The compounds of this invention are inhibitors of one or more metalloproteinase enzymes. Metalloproteinases are a superfamily of proteinases (enzymes) whose numbers in recent years have increased dramatically. Based on structural and functional considerations these enzymes have been classified into families and subfamilies as described in N. M. Hooper (1994) FEBS Letters 354:1-6. Examples of metalloproteinases include the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) such as the collagenases (MMP1, MMP8, MMP13), the gelatinases (MMP2, MMP9), the stromelysins (MMP3, MMP10, MMP11), matrilysin (MMP7), metalloelastase (MMP12), enamelysin (MMP19), the MT-MMPs (MMP14, MMP15, MMP16, MMP17); the reprolysin or adamalysin or MDC family which includes the secretases and sheddases such as TNF converting enzymes (ADAM10 and TACE); the astacin family which include enzymes such as procollagen processing proteinase (PCP); and other metalloproteinases such as aggrecanase, the endothelin converting enzyme family and the angiotensin converting enzyme family.

[0003] Metalloproteinases are believed to be important in a plethora of physiological disease processes that involve tissue remodelling such as embryonic development, bone formation and uterine remodelling during menstruation. This is based on the ability of the metalloproteinases to cleave a broad range of matrix substrates such as collagen, proteoglycan and fibronectin. Metalloproteinases are also believed to be important in the processing, or secretion, of biological important cell mediators, such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF); and the post translational proteolysis processing, or shedding, of biologically important membrane proteins, such as the low affinity IgE receptor CD23 (for a more complete list see N. M. Hooper et al., (1997) Biochem J. 321:265-279).

[0004] Metalloproteinases have been associated with many diseases or conditions. Inhibition of the activity of one or more metalloproteinases may well be of benefit in these diseases or conditions, for example: various inflammatory and allergic diseases such as, inflammation of the joint (especially rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and gout), inflammation of the gastro-intestinal tract (especially inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis and gastritis), inflammation of the skin (especially psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis); in tumour metastasis or invasion; in disease associated with uncontrolled degradation of the extracellular matrix such as osteoarthritis; in bone resorptive disease (such as osteoporosis and Paget's disease); in diseases associated with aberrant angiogenesis; the enhanced collagen remodelling associated with diabetes, periodontal disease (such as gingivitis), corneal ulceration, ulceration of the skin, post-operative conditions (such as colonic anastomosis) and dermal wound healing; demyelinating diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems (such as multiple sclerosis); Alzheimer's disease; extracellular matrix remodelling observed in cardiovascular diseases such as restenosis and atheroscelerosis; asthma; rhinitis; and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD).

[0005] MMP12, also known as macrophage elastase or metalloelastase, was initially cloned in the mouse by Shapiro et al [1992, Journal of Biological Chemistry 267: 4664] and in man by the same group in 1995. MMP-12 is preferentially expressed in activated macrophages, and has been shown to be secreted from alveolar macrophages from smokers [Shapiro et al, 1993, Journal of Biological Chemistry, 268: 23824] as well as in foam cells in atherosclerotic lesions [Matsumoto et al, 1998, Am J Pathol 153: 109]. A mouse model of COPD is based on challenge of mice with cigarette smoke for six months, two cigarettes a day six days a week. Wildtype mice developed pulmonary emphysema after this treatment. When MMP12 knock-out mice were tested in this model they developed no significant emphysema, strongly indicating that MMP-12 is a key enzyme in the COPD pathogenesis. The role of MMPs such as MMP12 in COPD (emphysema and bronchitis) is discussed in Anderson and Shinagawa, 1999, Current Opinion in Anti-inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Investigational Drugs 1(1): 29-38. It was recently discovered that smoking increases macrophage infiltration and macrophage-derived MMP-12 expression in human carotid artery plaques Kangavari [Matetzky S, Fishbein MC et al., Circulation 102:(18) 36-39 Suppl. S, Oct. 31, 2000].

[0006] MMP13, or collagenase 3, was initially cloned from a cDNA library derived from a breast tumour [J. M. P. Freije et al. (1994) Journal of Biological Chemistry 269(24):16766-16773]. PCR-RNA analysis of RNAs from a wide range of tissues indicated that MMP13 expression was limited to breast carcinomas as it was not found in breast fibroadenomas, normal or resting mammary gland, placenta, liver, ovary, uterus, prostate or parotid gland or in breast cancer cell lines (T47-D, MCF-7 and ZR75-1). Subsequent to this observation MMP13 has been detected in transformed epidermal keratinocytes [N. Johansson et al., (1997) Cell Growth Differ. 8(2):243-250], squamous cell carcinomas [N. Johansson et al., (1997) Am. J. Pathol. 151(2):499-508] and epidermal tumours [K. Airola et al., (1997) J. Invest. Dermatol. 109(2):225-23 1]. These results are suggestive that MMP13 is secreted by transformed epithelial cells and may be involved in the extracellular matrix degradation and cell-matrix interaction associated with metastasis especially as observed in invasive breast cancer lesions and in malignant epithelia growth in skin carcinogenesis.

[0007] Recent published data implies that MMP13 plays a role in the turnover of other connective tissues. For instance, consistent with MMP13's substrate specificity and preference for degrading type II collagen [P. G. Mitchell et al., (1996) J. Clin. Invest. 97(3):761-768; V. Knauper et al., (1996) The Biochemical Journal 271:1544-1550], MMP13 has been hypothesised to serve a role during primary ossification and skeletal remodelling [M. Stahle-Backdahl et al., (1997) Lab. Invest. 76(5):717-728; N. Johansson et al., (1997) Dev. Dyn. 208(3):387-397], in destructive joint diseases such as rheumatoid and osteo-arthritis [D. Wernicke et al., (1996) J. Rheumatol. 23:590-595; P. G. Mitchell et al., (1996) J: Clin. Invest. 97(3):761-768; O. Lindy et al., (1997) Arthritis Rheum 40(8 :1391-1399]; and during the aseptic loosening of hip replacements [S. Imai et al., (1998) J. Bone Joint Surg. Br. 80(4):701-710]. MMP13 has also been implicated in chronic adult periodontitis as it has been localised to the epithelium of chronically inflamed mucosa human gingival tissue [V. J. Uitto et al., (1998) Am. J. Pathol 152(6):1489-1499] and in remodelling of the collagenous matrix in chronic wounds [M. Vaalamo et al., (1997) J. Invest. Dermatol. 109(1):96-101].

[0008] MMP9 (Gelatinase B; 92 kDa TypeIV Collagenase; 92 kDa Gelatinase) is a secreted protein which was first purified, then cloned and sequenced, in 1989 [S. M. Wilhelm et al (1989) J. Biol Chem. 264 (29): 17213-17221; published erratum in J. Biol Chem. (1990) 265 (36): 22570]. A recent review of MMP9 provides an excellent source for detailed information and references on this protease: T. H. Vu & Z. Werb (1998) (In: Matrix Metalloproteinases. 1998. Edited by W. C. Parks & R. P. Mecham. pp115-148. Academic Press. ISBN 0-12-545090-7). The following points are drawn from that review by T. H. Vu & Z. Werb (1998).

[0009] The expression of MMP9 is restricted normally to a few cell types, including trophoblasts, osteoclasts, neutrophils and macrophages. However, it's expression can be induced in these same cells and in other cell types by several mediators, including exposure of the cells to growth factors or cytokines. These are the same mediators often implicated in initiating an inflammatory response. As with other secreted MMPs, MMP9 is released as an inactive Pro-enzyme which is subsequently cleaved to form the enzymatically active enzyme. The proteases required for this activation in vivo are not known. The balance of active MMP9 versus inactive enzyme is further regulated in vivo by interaction with TIMP-1 (Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-1), a naturally-occurring protein. TIMP-1 binds to the C-terminal region of MMP9, leading to inhibition of the catalytic domain of MMP9. The balance of induced expression of ProMMP9, cleavage of Pro- to active MMP9 and the presence of TIMP-1 combine to determine the amount of catalytically active MMP9 which is present at a local site. Proteolytically active MMP9 attacks substrates which include gelatin, elastin, and native Type IV and Type V collagens; it has no activity against native Type I collagen, proteoglycans or laminins.

[0010] There has been a growing body of data implicating roles for MMP9 in various physiological and pathological processes. Physiological roles include the invasion of embryonic trophoblasts through the uterine epithelium in the early stages of embryonic implantation; some role in the growth and development of bones; and migration of inflammatory cells from the vasculature into tissues.

[0011] MMP-9 release, measured using enzyme immunoassay, was significantly enhanced in fluids and in AM supernantants from untreated asthmatics compared with those from other populations [Am. J. Resp. Cell & Mol. Biol., November 1997, 17 (5):583-591]. Also, increased MMP9 expression has been observed in certain other pathological conditions, thereby implicating MMP9 in disease processes such as COPD, arthritis, tumour metastasis, Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, and plaque rupture in atherosclerosis leading to acute coronary conditions such as Myocardial Infarction.

[0012] MMP-8 (collagenase-2, neutrophil collagenase) is a 53 kD enzyme of the matrix metalloproteinase family that is preferentially expressed in neutrophils. Later studies indicate MMP-8 is expressed also in other cells, such as osteoarthritic chondrocytes [Shlopov et al, 1997, Arthritis Rheum, 40:2065]. MMPs produced by neutrophils can cause tissue remodelling, and hence blocking MMP-8 should have a positive effect in fibrotic diseases of for instance the lung, and in degradative diseases like pulmonary emphysema. MMP-8 was also found to be up-regulated in osteoarthritis, indicating that blocking MMP-8 many also be beneficial in this disease.

[0013] MMP-3 (stromelysin-1) is a 53 kD enzyme of the matrix metalloproteinase enzyme family. MMP-3 activity has been demonstrated in fibroblasts isolated from inflamed gingiva [Uitto V. J. et al, 1981, J. Periodontal Res., 16:417-424], and enzyme levels have been correlated to the severity of gum disease [Overall C. M. et al, 1987, J. Periodontal Res., 22:81-88]. MMP-3 is also produced by basal keratinocytes in a variety of chronic ulcers [Saarialho-Kere U. K. et al, 1994, J. Clin. Invest., 94:79-88]. MMP-3 mRNA and protein were detected in basal keratinocytes adjacent to but distal from the wound edge in what probably represents the sites of proliferating epidermis. MMP-3 may thus prevent the epidermis from healing. Several investigators have demonstrated consistent elevation of MMP-3 in synovial fluids from rheumatoid and osteoarthritis patients as compared to controls [Walakovits L. A. et al, 1992, Arthritis Rheum., 35:35-42; Zafarullah M. et al, 1993, J. Rheumatol., 20:693-697]. These studies provided the basis for the belief that an inhibitor of MMP-3 will treat diseases involving disruption of extracellular matrix resulting in inflammation due to lymphocytic infiltration, or loss of structural integrity necessary for organ function.

[0014] A number of metalloproteinase inhibitors are known (see for example the review of MMP inhibitors by Beckett R. P. and Whittaker M., 1998, Exp. Opin. Ther. Patents, 8(3):259-282]. Different classes of compounds may have different degrees of potency and selectivity for inhibiting various metalloproteinases.

[0015] Whittaker M. et al (1999, Chemical Reviews 99(9):2735-2776] review a wide range of known MMP inhibitor compounds. They state that an effective MMP inhibitor requires a zinc binding group or ZBG (functional group capable of chelating the active site zinc(II) ion), at least one functional group which provides a hydrogen bond interaction with the enzyme backbone, and one or more side chains which undergo effective van der Waals interactions with the enzyme subsites. Zinc binding groups in known MMP inhibitors include carboxylic acid groups, hydroxamic acid groups, sulfhydryl or mercapto, etc. For example, Whittaker M. et al discuss the following MMP inhibitors:

[0016] The above compound entered clinical development. It has a mercaptoacyl zinc binding group, a trimethylhydantoinylethyl group at the P1 position and a leucinyl-tert-butyllglycinyl backbone.

[0017] The above compound has a mercaptoacyl zinc binding group and an imide group at the P1 position.

[0018] The above compound was developed for the treatment of arthritis. It has a non-peptidic succinyl hydroxamate zinc binding group and a trimethylhydantoinylethyl group at the P1 position.

[0019] The above compound is a phthalimido derivative that inhibits collagenases. It has a non-peptidic succinyl hydroxamate zinc binding group and a cyclic imide group at P1. Whitaker M. et al also discuss other MMP inhibitors having a P1 cyclic imido group and various zinc binding groups (succinyl hydroxamate, carboxylic acid, thiol group, phosphorous-based group).

[0020] The above compounds appear to be good inhibitors of MMP8 and MMP9 (PCT patent applications WO9858925, WO9858915). They have a pyrimidin-2,3,4-trione zinc binding group.

[0021] The following compounds are not known as MMP inhibitors:

[0022] Lora-Tamayo, M et al (1968, An. Quim 64(6: 591-606) describe synthesis of the following compounds as a potential anti-cancer agent:

[0023] Czech patent numbers 151744 (19731119) and 152617 (1974022) describe the synthesis and the anticonvulsive activity of the following compounds:

[0024] R=4-NO2, 4-OMe, 2-NO2,

[0025] U.S. Pat. No. 3,529,019 (19700915) describes the following compounds used as intermediates:

[0026] PCT patent application number WO 00/09103 describes compounds useful for treating a vision disorder, including the following (compounds 81 and 83, Table A, page 47):

[0027] We have now discovered a new class of compounds that are inhibitors of metalloproteinases and are of particular interest in inhibiting MMPs such as MMP-12. The compounds are metalloproteinase inhibitors having a metal binding group that is not found in known metalloproteinase inhibitors. In particular, we have discovered compounds that are potent MMP12 inhibitors and have desirable activity profiles. The compounds of this invention have beneficial potency, selectivity and/or pharmacokinetic properties.

[0028] The metalloproteinase inhibitor compounds of the invention comprise a metal binding group and one or more other functional groups or side chains characterised in that the metal binding group has the formula (k)

[0029] wherein X is selected from NR1, O, S;

[0030] Y1 and Y2 are independently selected from O, S;

[0031] R1 is selected from H, alkyl, haloalkyl;

[0032] Any alkyl groups outlined above may be straight chain or branched; any alkyl group outlined above is preferably (C1-7)alkyl and most preferably (C1-6)alkyl.

[0033] A metalloproteinase inhibitor compound is a compound that inhibits the activity of a metalloproteinase enzyme (for example, an MMP): By way of non-limiting example the inhibitor compound may show IC50s in vitro in the range of 0.1-10000 nanomolar, preferably in the range of 0.1-1000 nanomolar.

[0034] A metal binding group is a functional group capable of binding the metal ion within the active site of the enzyme. For example, the metal binding group will be a zinc binding group in MMP inhibitors, chelating the active site zinc(II) ion. The metal binding group of formula (k) is based on a five-membered ring structure and is preferably a hydantoin group, most preferably a -5 substituted 1-H,3-H-imidazolidine-2,4-dione.

[0035] In a first aspect of the invention we now provide compounds of the formula I

[0036] wherein

[0037] X is selected from NR1, O, S;

[0038] Y1 and Y2 are independently selected from O, S;

[0039] Z is selected from O, S;

[0040] A is selected from a direct bond, (C1-6)alkyl, (C1-6)haloalkyl, or (C1-6)heteroalkyl containing a hetero group selected from N, O, S, SO, SO2 or containing two hetero groups selected from N, O, S, SO, SO2 and separated by at least two carbon atoms;

[0041] R1 is selected from H, (C1-3)alkyl, haloalkyl;

[0042] R2 and R3 are independently selected from H, halogen (preferably fluorine), alkyl, heteroalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkyl-heteroaryl, heteroalkyl-aryl, heteroalkyl-heteroaryl, aryl-alkyl, aryl-heteroalkyl, heteroaryl-alkyl, heteroaryl-heteroalkyl, aryl-aryl, aryl-heteroaryl, heteroaryl-aryl, heteroaryl-heteroaryl, cycloalkyl-alkyl, heterocycloalkyl-alkyl, alkyl-cycloalkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl;

[0043] R4 is selected from H, halogen (preferably fluorine), (C1-3)alkyl or haloalkyl;

[0044] Each of the R2 and R3 radicals may be independently optionally substituted with one or more (preferably one) groups selected from alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, halo, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, thiol, alkylthiol, arylthiol, alkylsulfon, haloalkylsulfon, arylsulfon, aminosulfon, N-alkylaminosulfon, N,N-dialkylaminosulfon, arylaminosulfon, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, amido, N-alkylamido, N,N-dialkylamido, cyano, sulfonamino, alkylsulfonamino, arylsulfonamino, amidino, N-aminosulfon-amidino, guanidino, N-cyano-guanidino, thioguanidino, 2-nitro-ethene-1,1-diamin, carboxy, alkyl-carboxy, nitro, carbamate;

[0045] Optionally R2 and R3 may join to form a ring comprising up to 7 ring atoms, or R2 and R4 may join to form a ring comprising up to 7 ring atoms, or R3 and R4 may join to form a ring comprising up to 7 ring atoms;

[0046] R5 is a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic group comprising one, two or three ring structures each of up to 7 ring atoms independently selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl, with each ring structure being independently optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, alkylsulfonamino, alkylcarboxyamino, cyano, nitro, thiol, alkylthiol, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, carboxylate, alkylcarboxylate, aminocarboxy, N-alkylamino-carboxy, N,N-dialkylamino-carboxy, wherein any alkyl radical within any substituent may itself be optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, N-alkylsulfonamino, N-alkylcarboxyamino, cyano, nitro, thiol, alkylthiol, alkylsulfonyl, N-alkylaminosulfonyl, carboxylate, alkylcarboxy, aminocarboxy, N-alkylaminocarboxy, N,N-dialkylaminocarboxy, carbamate;

[0047] when R5 is a bicyclic or tricyclic group, each ring structure is joined to the next ring structure by a direct bond, by —O—, by (C1-6)alkyl, by (C1-6)haloalkyl, by (C1-6)heteroalkyl, by (C1-6)alkenyl, by (C1-6)alkynyl, by sulfone, by CO, by S, or is fused to the next ring structure;

[0048] Any heteroalkyl group outlined above is a hetero atom-substituted alkyl containing one or more hetero groups independently selected from N, O, S, SO, SO2, (a hetero group being a hetero atom or group of atoms);

[0049] Any heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl group outlined above contains one or more hetero groups independently selected from N, O, S, SO, SO2;

[0050] Any alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups outlined above may be straight chain or branched; unless otherwise stated, any alkyl group outlined above is preferably (C1-7)alkyl and most preferably (C1-6)alkyl;

[0051] Provided that

[0052] when X is NR1, R1 is H, Y1 is O, Y2 is O, Z is O, R2 is methyl, R3 is H, R4 is H, and A is a direct bond, then R5 is not p-chloro-phenyl, o-methoxyphenyl, p-methoxyphenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl, o-nitrophenyl, p-nitrophenyl, 2-methoxy-4-aminophenyl, 2-methoxy-5-fluorophenyl or p-benzyloxyphenyl;

[0053] when X is NR1, R1 is H, Y1 is O, Y2 is O, Z is O, R2 is phenyl, R3 is H, R4 is H and A is a direct bond, then R5 is not p-chloro-phenyl.

[0054] Preferred compounds of the formula I are those wherein any one or more of the following apply:

[0055] X is NR1;

[0056] At least one of Y1 and Y2 is O; especially both Y1 and Y2 are O;

[0057] R1 is H, (C1-3) alkyl, (C1-3) haloalkyl; especially R1 is H;

[0058] R2 is H, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxy alkyl, aminoalkyl, cycloalkyl-alkyl, alkyl-cycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkylaryl, alkyl-heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl-alkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl-alkyl, heteroalkyl-aryl; especially R2 is alkyl, aminoalkyl, alkyl-heteroaryl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl-alkyl.

[0059] R3 and/or R4 is H;

[0060] R3 and/or R4 is methyl;

[0061] R5 comprises one, two or three optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl 5 or 6 membered rings;

[0062] R5 is a bicyclic or tricyclic group comprising two or three optionally substituted ring structures.

[0063] Particularly preferred compounds of formula I are those wherein R5 is a bicyclic or tricyclic group comprising two or three optionally substituted ring structures.

[0064] Further preferred compounds of the invention are compounds of the formula II

[0065] wherein

[0066] each of G1 and G2 is a monocyclic ring structure comprising each of up to 7 ring atoms independently selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl, with each ring structure being independently optionally substituted by one or two substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, haloalkoxy, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, cyano, nitro, alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl sulfone, haloalkyl sulfone, alkylcarbamate, alkylamide, wherein any alkyl radical within any substituent may itself be optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, cyano, nitro, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, carbamate;

[0067] Z is O or S;

[0068] B is selected from a direct bond, O, (C1-6)alkyl, (C1-6)heteroalkyl;

[0069] R2 is selected from H, (C1-6)alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, (N-alkylamino)alkyl, (N,N-dialkylamino)alkyl, amidoalkyl, thioalkyl, or R2 is a group of formula III

[0070] C and D are independently selected from a direct bond, H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, or (C1-C6)heteroalkyl containing one or two hetero atoms selected from N, O or S such that when two hetero atoms are present they are separated by at least two carbon atoms;

[0071] G3 is a monocyclic ring structure comprising up to 7 ring atoms independently selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl, optionally substituted by one or two substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, cyano, nitro, alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl sulfone, haloalkyl sulfone, or alkyl substituted with one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, N-allylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, cyano, nitro, alkoxy, haloalkoxy;

[0072] Optionally R2 is substituted with halo, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, aminoalkyl, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, (N4-alkylamino)alkyl, (N,N-dialkylamino)alkyl, alkylsulfone, aminosulfone, N-alkylamino-sulfone, N,N-dialkylaminosulfone, amido, N-alkylamido, N,N-dialkylamido, cyano, sulfonamino, alkyl-sulfonamino, amidino, N-aminosulfone-amidino, guanidino, N-cyano-guanidino, thioguanidino, 2-nitroguanidino, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy, alkylcarboxy, carbamate;

[0073] R3 and R4 are independently selected from H or (C1-3)alkyl;

[0074] Optionally R2 and R3 may join to form a ring comprising up to 7 ring atoms, or R2 and R4 may join to form a ring comprising up to 7 ring atoms, or R3 and R4 may join to form a ring comprising up to 7 ring atoms;

[0075] Any heteroalkyl group outlined above is a hetero atom-substituted alkyl containing one or more hetero groups independently selected from N, O, S, SO, SO2, (a hetero group being a hetero atom or group of atoms);

[0076] Any heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl group outlined above contains one or more hetero groups independently selected from N, O, S, SO, SO2;

[0077] Any alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups outlined above may be straight chain or branched;.unless otherwise stated, any alkyl group outlined above is preferably (C1-7)alkyl and most preferably (C1-6)alkyl.

[0078] Preferred compounds of the formula II are those wherein one or more of the following apply:

[0079] B is a direct bond or O;

[0080] R2 is selected from H, (C1-6)alkyl, aryl-(C1-6)alkyl or heteroaryl-(C1-6)alkyl optionally substituted with halo, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, aminoalkyl, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, (N-alkylamino)alkyl, (N,N-dialkylamino)alkyl, alkylsulfone, aminosulfone, N-alkylamino-sulfone, N,N-dialkylaminosulfone, amido, N-alkylamido, N,N-dialkylamido, cyano, sulfonamino, alkyl-sulfonamino, amidino, N-aminosulfone-amidino, carboxy, alkylcarboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carbamate;

[0081] Each of R3 and R4 is H;

[0082] Each of G1 and G2 is an optionally substituted monocyclic group with each ring structure comprising up to 6 ring atoms independently selected from aryl or heteroaryl; preferably G1 is substituted with halogen, hydroxy, haloalkoxy, amido, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, wherein any alkyl radical within any substituent may itself be optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cyano, carbamate.

[0083] For example, particular compounds of the invention include compounds of formula II wherein B is a direct bond or O; and Z is O or S; and R2 is selected from H, (C1-6)alkyl, aryl-(C1-6)alkyl or heteroaryl-(C1-6)alkyl optionally substituted with halo, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, aminoalkyl, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino and each of R3 and R4 is H; and each of G1 and G2 is a monocyclic group with each ring structure comprising up to 6 ring atoms independently selected from aryl or heteroaryl; preferably G1 is substituted with halogen, hydroxy, haloalkoxy, amido, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, wherein any alkyl radical within any substituent may itself be optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cyano, carbamate.

[0084] Suitable values for R2 include the following:

[0085] Suitable values for R5 include the following:

[0086] R=F, Cl, Br, CF3, CF3O, CH3O, OH, CF3CH2, CN, NCOMe

[0087] It will be appreciated that the particular substituents and number of substituents in compounds of formula I are selected so as to avoid sterically undesirable combinations.

[0088] Each exemplified compound represents a particular and independent aspect of the invention.

[0089] Where optically active centres exist in the compounds of formula I, we disclose all individual optically active forms and combinations of these as individual specific embodiments of the invention, as well as their corresponding racemates. Racemates may be separated into individual optically active forms using known procedures (cf. Advanced Organic Chemistry: 3rd Edition: author J March, p104-107) including for example the formation of diastereomeric derivatives having convenient optically active auxiliary species followed by separation and then cleavage of the auxiliary species.

[0090] It will be appreciated that the compounds according to the invention may contain one or more asymmetrically substituted carbon atoms. The presence of one or more of these asymmetric centres (chiral centres) in a compound of formula I can give rise to stereoisomers, and in each case the invention is to be understood to extend to all such stereoisomers, including enantiomers and diastereomers, and mixtures including racemic mixtures thereof.

[0091] Where tautomers exist in the compounds of formula I, we disclose all individual is tautomeric forms and combinations of these as individual specific embodiments of the invention.

[0092] As previously outlined the compounds of the invention are metalloproteinase inhibitors, in particular they are inhibitors of MMP12. Each of the above indications for the compounds of the formula I represents an independent and particular embodiment of the invention.

[0093] Certain compounds of the invention are of particular use as inhibitors of MMP13 and/or MMP9 and/or MMP8 and/or MMP3.

[0094] Compounds of the invention show a favourable selectivity profile. Whilst we do not wish to be bound by theoretical considerations, the compounds of the invention are believed to show selective inhibition for any one of the above indications relative to any TACE inhibitory activity, by way of non-limiting example they may show 100-1000 fold selectivity over any TACE inhibitory activity.

[0095] The compounds of the invention may be provided as pharmaceutically acceptable salts. These include acid addition salts such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, citrate and maleate salts and salts formed with phosphoric and sulphuric acid. In another aspect suitable salts are base salts such as an alkali metal salt for example sodium or potassium, an alkaline earth metal salt for example calcium or magnesium, or organic amine salt for example triethylamine.

[0096] They may also be provided as in vivo hydrolysable esters. These are pharmaceutically acceptable esters that hydrolyse in the human body to produce the parent compound. Such esters can be identified by administering, for example intravenously to a test animal, the compound under test and subsequently examining the test animal's body fluids. Suitable in vivo hydrolysable esters for carboxy include methoxymethyl and for hydroxy include formyl and acetyl, especially acetyl.

[0097] In order to use a metalloproteinase inhibitor compound of the invention (a compound of the formula I or II) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof for the therapeutic treatment (including prophylactic treatment) of mammals including humans, it is normally formulated in accordance with standard pharmaceutical practice as a pharmaceutical composition.

[0098] Therefore in another aspect the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of the invention (a compound of the formula I or II) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable ester and pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0099] The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be administered in standard manner for the disease or condition that it is desired to treat, for example by oral, topical, parenteral, buccal, nasal, vaginal or rectal adminstration or by inhalation. For these purposes the compounds of this invention may be formulated by means known in the art into the form of, for example, tablets, capsules, aqueous or oily solutions, suspensions, emulsions, creams, ointments, gels, nasal sprays, suppositories, finely divided powders or aerosols for inhalation, and for parenteral use (including intravenous, intramuscular or infusion) sterile aqueous or oily solutions or suspensions or sterile emulsions.

[0100] In addition to the compounds of the present invention the pharmaceutical composition of this invention may also contain, or be co-administered (simultaneously or sequentially) with, one or more pharmacological agents of value in treating one or more diseases or conditions referred to hereinabove.

[0101] The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention will normally be administered to humans so that, for example, a daily dose of 0.5 to 75 mg/kg body weight (and preferably of 0.5 to 30 mg/kg body weight) is received. This daily dose may be given in divided doses as necessary, the precise amount of the compound received and the route of administration depending on the weight, age and sex of the patient being treated and on the particular disease or condition being treated according to principles known in the art.

[0102] Typically unit dosage forms will contain about 1 mg to 500 mg of a compound of this invention.

[0103] Therefore in a further aspect, we provide a compound of the formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof for use in a method of therapeutic treatment of the human or animal body or for use as a therapeutic agent. We disclose use in the treatment of a disease or condition mediated by one or more metalloproteinase enzymes. In particular we disclose use in the treatment of a disease or condition mediated by MMP12 and/or MMP13 and/or MMP9 and/or MMP8 and/or MMP3; especially use in the treatment of a disease or condition mediated by MMP12 or MMP9; most especially use in the treatment of a disease or condition mediated by MMP12.

[0104] In particular we provide a compound of the formula II or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof for use in a method of therapeutic treatment of the human or animal body or for use as a therapeutic agent (such as use in the treatment of a disease or condition mediated by MMP12 and/or MMP13 and/or MMP9 and/or MMP8 and/or MMP3; especially MMP12 or MMP9; most especially MMP12).

[0105] In yet a further aspect we provide a method of treating a metalloproteinase mediated disease or condition which comprises administering to a warm-blooded animal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the forumal I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof. We also disclose the use of a compound of the formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable precursor thereof in the preparation of a medicament for use in the treatment of a disease or condition mediated by one or more metalloproteinase enzymes.

[0106] For example we provide a method of treating a metalloproteinase mediated disease or condition which comprises administering to a warm-blooded animal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formula II (or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof). We also provide the use of a compound of the formula II (or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable precursor thereof) in the preparation of a medicament for use in the treatment of a disease or condition mediated by one or more metalloproteinase enzymes.

[0107] Metalloproteinase mediated diseases or conditions include asthma, rhinitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis), atherosclerosis and restenosis, cancer, invasion and metastasis, diseases involving tissue destruction, loosening of hip joint replacements, periodontal disease, fibrotic disease, infarction and heart disease, liver and renal fibrosis, endometriosis, diseases related to the weakening of the extracellular matrix, heart failure, aortic aneurysms, CNS related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), hematological disorders.

[0108] Preparation of the Compounds of the Invention

[0109] In another aspect the present invention provides a process for preparing a compound of the formula I or II or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, as described below. It will be appreciated that many of the relevant starting materials are commercially or otherwise available or may be synthesised by known methods or may be found in the scientific literature.

[0110] (a) Compounds of formula I in which each of Y1 and Y2 is O, Z is O, and X and R5 is as described in formula I may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula VI in which K is a leaving group (e.g chloride, or sulfonate ester) and R5 as described in formula I,

[0111] with a compound of formula VII, in which G is a sulfhydryl (SH) or a hydroxyl group, and X is as described in formula I. The reaction is preferably performed in the presence of base such as diethyl isopropyl amine or cesium carbonate and in the presence of a suitable solvent e.g DMF.

[0112] Alternatively, the compounds may be prepared in the same manner by reacting the compounds of formula VI and VII, but in which K in compound VI is the sulfhydryl (SH) or a hydroxyl group and G in formula VIII represents a leaving group.

[0113] (b) Compounds of formula I in which Y1 and Y2 are each O, X is NR1(R1=H), Z is S or O, and R2, R3, R4, R5 are as described in formula I may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula VIII in which R2, R3, R4, R5 and A are as described in formula I,

[0114] with ammonium and cyanide salts in protic solvents, preferably in the presence of excess ammonium carbonat and potassium cyanide in ethanol in a sealed vessel at 40-80 C. for 4-24 hours.

[0115] The ketones of formula VIII are conveniently prepared by treating alkohols or thiols of formula IX, in which R5 and A are as described in formula I, with haloketones of formula X, in which R2 is as described for formula I, and excess base.

[0116] The compounds of the invention may be evaluated for example in the following assays:

[0117] Isolated Enzyme Assays

[0118] Matrix Metalloproteinase Family Including for Example MMP12, MMP13.

[0119] Recombinant human MMP12 catalytic domain may be expressed and purified as described by Parkar A. A. et al, (2000), Protein Expression and Purification, 20:152. The purified enzyme can be used to monitor inhibitors of activity as follows: MMP12 (50 ng/ml final concentration) is incubated for 30 minutes at RT in assay buffer (0.1M Tris-HCl, pH 7.3 containing 0.1M NaCl, 20 mM CaCl₂, 0.040 mM ZnCl and 0.05% (w/v) Brij 35) using the synthetic substrate Mac-Pro-Cha-Gly-Nva-His-Ala-Dpa-NH2 in the presence or absence of inhibitors. Activity is determined by measuring the fluorescence at λex 328 nm and λem 393 nm. Percent inhibition is calculated as follows: % Inhibition is equal to the [Fluorescence_(plus inhibitor)−Fluorescence_(background)] divided by the [Fluorescence_(minus inhibitor)−Fluorescence_(background)].

[0120] Recombinant human proMMP13 may be expressed and purified as described by Knauper et al. [V. Knauper et al., (1996) The Biochemical Journal 271: 1544-1550 (1996)]. The purified enzyme can be used to monitor inhibitors of activity as follows: purified proMMP13 is activated using 1 mM amino phenyl mercuric acid (APMA), 20 hours at 21° C.; the activated MMP13 (11.25 ng per assay) is incubated for 4-5 hours at 35° C. in assay buffer (0.1M Tris-HCl, pH 7.5 containing 0.1M NaCl, 20 mM CaCl2, 0.02 mM ZnCl and 0.05% (w/v) Brij 35) using the synthetic substrate 7-methoxycoumarin-4-yl)acetyl.Pro.Leu.Gly.Leu.N-3-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-L-2,3-diaminopropionyl.Ala.Arg.NH₂ in the presence or absence of inhibitors. Activity is determined by measuring the fluorescence at λex 328 nm and λem 393 nm. Percent inhibition is calculated as follows: % Inhibition is equal to the [Fluorescence_(plus inhibitor)−Fluorescence_(background)] divided by the [Fluorescence_(minus inhibitor)−Fluorescence_(background)].

[0121] A similar protocol can be used for other expressed and purified pro MMPs using substrates and buffers conditions optimal for the particular MMP, for instance as described in C. Graham Knight et al., (1992) FEBS Lett. 296(3):263-266.

[0122] Adamalysin Family Including for Example TNF Convertase

[0123] The ability of the compounds to inhibit proTNFα convertase enzyme may be assessed using a partially purified, isolated enzyme assay, the enzyme being obtained from the membranes of TBP-1 as described by K. M. Mohler et al., (1994) Nature 370:218-220. The purified enzyme activity and inhibition thereof is determined by incubating the partially purified enzyme in the presence or absence of test compounds using the substrate 4′,5′-Dimethoxy-fluoresceinyl Ser.Pro.Leu.Ala.Gln.Ala.Val.Arg.Ser.Ser.Ser.Arg.Cys(4-(3-succinimid-1-yl)-fluorescein)-NH₂ in assay buffer (50 mM Tris HCl, pH 7.4 containing 0.1% (w/v) Triton X-100 and 2 mM CaCl₂), at 26° C. for 18 hours. The amount of inhibition is determined as for MMP13 except λex 490 nm and λem 530 nm were used. The substrate was synthesised as follows. The peptidic part of the substrate was assembled on Fmoc-NH-Rink-MBHA-polystyrene resin either manually or on an automated peptide synthesiser by standard methods involving the use of Fmoc-amino acids and O-benzotriazol-1-yl-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HBTU) as coupling agent with at least a 4- or 5-fold excess of Fmoc-amino acid and HBTU. Ser¹ and Pro² were double-coupled. The following side chain protection strategy was employed; Ser¹(But), Gln⁵(Trityl), Arg^(8,12)(pmc or Pbf), Ser^(9,10,11)(Trityl), Cys¹³(Trityl). Following assembly, the N-terminal Fmoc-protecting group was removed by treating the Fmoc-peptidyl-resin with in DMF. The amino-peptidyl-resin so obtained was acylated by treatment for 1.5-2 hr at 70° C. with 1.5-2 equivalents of 4′,5′-dimethoxy-fluorescein-4(5)-carboxylic acid [Khanna & Ullman, (1980) Anal Biochem. 108:156-161) which had been preactivated with diisopropylcarbodiimide and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole in DMF]. The dimethoxyfluoresceinyl-peptide was then simultaneously deprotected and cleaved from the resin by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid containing 5% each of water and triethylsilane. The dimethoxyfluoresceinyl-peptide was isolated by evaporation, trituration with diethyl ether and filtration. The isolated peptide was reacted with 4-(N-maleimido)-fluorescein in DMF containing diisopropylethylamine, the product purified by RP-HPLC and finally isolated by freeze-drying from aqueous acetic acid. The product was characterised by MALDI-TOF MS and amino acid analysis.

[0124] Natural Substrates

[0125] The activity of the compounds of the invention as inhibitors of aggrecan degradation may be assayed using methods for example based on the disclosures of E. C. Arner et al., (1998) Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 6:214-228; (1999) Journal of Biological Chemistry, 274 (10), 6594-6601 and the antibodies described therein. The potency of compounds to act as inhibitors against collagenases can be determined as described by T. Cawston and A. Barrett (1979) Anal. Biochem. 99:340-345.

[0126] Inhibition of Metalloproteinase Activity in Cell/tissue Based Activity Test as an Agent to Inhibit Membrane Sheddases Such as TNF Convertase

[0127] The ability of the compounds of this invention to inhibit the cellular processing of TNFα production may be assessed in THP-1 cells using an ELISA to detect released TNF essentially as described K. M. Mohler et al., (1994) Nature 370:218-220. In a similar fashion the processing or shedding of other membrane molecules such as those described in N. M. Hooper et al., (1997) Biochem. J. 321:265-279 may be tested using appropriate cell lines and with suitable antibodies to detect the shed protein.

[0128] Test as an Agent to Inhibit Cell Based Invasion

[0129] The ability of the compound of this invention to inhibit the migration of cells in an invasion assay may be determined as described in A. Albini et al., (1987) Cancer Research 47:3239-3245.

[0130] Test as an Agent to Inhibit Whole Blood TNF Sheddase Activity

[0131] The ability of the compounds of this invention to inhibit TNFα production is assessed in a human whole blood assay where LPS is used to stimulate the release of TNFα. Heparinized (10 Units/ml) human blood obtained from volunteers is diluted 1:5 with medium (RPMI1640+bicarbonate, penicillin, streptomycin and glutamine) and incubated (160 μl) with 20 μl of test compound (triplicates), in DMSO or appropriate vehicle, for 30 min at 37° C. in a humidified (5% CO₂/95% air) incubator, prior to addition of 20 μl LPS (E. coli. 0111 :B4; final concentration 10 μg/ml). Each assay includes, controls of diluted blood incubated with medium alone (6 wells/plate) or a known TNFα inhibitor as standard. The plates are then incubated for 6 hours at 37° C. (humidified incubator), centrifuged (2000 rpm for 10 min; 4° C.), plasma harvested (50-100 μl) and stored in 96 well plates at −70° C. before subsequent analysis for TNFα concentration by ELISA.

[0132] Test as an Agent to Inhibit In Vitro Cartilage Degradation

[0133] The ability of the compounds of this invention to inhibit the degradation of the aggrecan or collagen components of cartilage can be assessed essentially as described by K. M. Bottomnley et al., (1997) Biochem J. 323:483-488.

[0134] Pharmacodynamic Test

[0135] To evaluate the clearance properties and bioavailability of the compounds of this invention an ex vivo pharmacodynamic test is employed which utilises the synthetic substrate assays above or alternatively HPLC or Mass spectrometric analysis. This is a generic test which can be used to estimate the clearance rate of compounds across a range of species. Animals (e,g. rats, marmosets) are dosed iv or po with a soluble formulation of compound (such as 20% w/v DMSO, 60% w/v PEG400) and at subsequent time points (e.g. 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 240, 480, 720, 1220 mins) the blood samples are taken from an appropriate vessel into 10U heparin. Plasma fractions are obtained following centrifugation and the plasma proteins precipitated with acetonitrile (80% w/v final concentration). After 30 mins at −20° C. the plasma proteins are sedimented by centrifugation and the supernatant fraction is evaporated to dryness using a Savant speed vac. The sediment is reconstituted in assay buffer and subsequently analysed for compound content using the synthetic substrate assay. Briefly, a compound concentration-response curve is constructed for the compound undergoing evaluation. Serial dilutions of the reconstituted plasma extracts are assessed for activity and the amount of compound present in the original plasma sample is calculated using the concentration-response curve taking into account the total plasma dilution factor.

[0136] In Vivo Assessment Test as an Anti-TNF Agent

[0137] The ability of the compounds of this invention as ex vivo TNFα inhibitors is assessed in the rat. Briefly, groups of male Wistar Alderley Park (AP) rats (180-210 g) are dosed with compound (6 rats) or drug vehicle (10 rats) by the appropriate route e.g. peroral (p.o.), intraperitoneal (i.p.), subcutaneous (s.c.). Ninety minutes later rats are sacrificed using a rising concentration of CO₂ and bled out via the posterior vena cavae into 5 Units of sodium heparin/ml blood. Blood samples are immediately placed on ice and centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 10 min at 4° C. and the harvested plasmas frozen at −20° C. for subsequent assay of their effect on TNFα production by LPS-stimulated human blood. The rat plasma samples are thawed and 175 μl of each sample are added to a set format pattern in a 96U well plate. Fifty μl of heparinized human blood is then added to each well, mixed and the plate is incubated for 30 min at 37° C. (humidified incubator). LPS (25 μl; final concentration 10 μg/ml) is added to the wells and incubation continued for a further 5.5 hours. Control wells are incubated with 25 μl of medium alone. Plates are then centrifuged for 10 min at 2000 rpm and 200 μl of the supernatants are transferred to a 96 well plate and frozen at −20° C. for subsequent analysis of TNF concentration by ELISA.

[0138] Data analysis by dedicated software calculates for each compound/dose: ${{Percent}\quad {inhibition}\quad {of}\quad {TNF}\quad \alpha} = \frac{{{Mean}\quad {TNF}\quad \alpha \quad ({Controls})} - {{Mean}\quad {TNF}\quad \alpha \quad ({Treated}) \times 100}}{{Mean}\quad {TNF}\quad \alpha \quad ({Controls})}$

[0139] Test as an Anti-arthritic Agent

[0140] Activity of a compound as an anti-arthritic is tested in the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) as defmed by D. E. Trentham et al., (1977) J. Exp. Med. 14,:857. In this model acid soluble native type II collagen causes polyarthritis in rats when administered in Freunds incomplete adjuvant. Similar conditions can be used to induce arthritis in mice and primates.

[0141] Test as an Anti-cancer Agent

[0142] Activity of a compound as an anti-cancer agent may be assessed essentially as described in I. J. Fidler (1978) Methods in Cancer Research 15:399-439, using for example the B16 cell line (described in B. Hibner et al., Abstract 283 p75 10th NCI-EORTC Symposium, Amsterdam Jun. 16-19 1998).

[0143] Test as an Anti-emphysema Agent

[0144] Activity of a compound as an anti-emphysema agent may be assessed essentially as described in Hautamaki et al (1997) Science, 277: 2002.

[0145] The invention will now be illustrated but not limited by the following Examples:

[0146] General analytical methods: ¹H-NMR spectra were recorded on either a Varian ^(Unity)Inova 400 MHz or Varian Mercury-VX 300 MHz instrument. The central solvent peak of chloroform-d (δ_(H) 7.27 ppm), dimethylsulfoxide-d₆ (δ_(H) 2.50 ppm) or methanol-d₄ (δ_(H) 3.31 ppm) were used as internal references. Low resolution mass spectra were obtained on a Agilent 1100 LC-MS system equipped with an APCI ionization chamber.

EXAMPLE 1

[0147]

5-(Biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-5-ethyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0148] 4-Hydroxy-biphenyl (84 mg, 0.5 mmol) was added to 1-bromo-2-butanone (0.055 ml, 0.55 mmol) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (95 mg, 0.69 mmol) in dry aceton (2.5 ml). The

[0149] mixture was stirred for 2 hours at ambidient temperature, then diluted with ethylacetate (2.5 ml). The supernantant was evaporated. The afforded oil was stirred at 75° C. overnight, in a sealed vial, together with ammonium carbonate (290 mg, 3.0 mmol) and potassium cyanide (79 mg, 1.2 mmol) in 50% ethanol (3 ml). The resulting solution was pured out on ethylacetate (20 ml), ether (10 ml) and water (15 ml), together with saturated ammonium chloride (aq, 2 ml). The organic phase was washed additionally once with water (10 ml), then evaporated together with heptane to afford the title compound (112 mg, 0.36 mmol) as a white solid in 72% yield.

[0150]¹HNMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 10.57 (1H, bs); 8.00 (1H, s); 7.63-7.58 (4H, m); 7.43 (2H, m); 7.01 (2H, d); 4.07 (2H, dd); 1.67 (2H, m); 0.86 (3H, t). LC-MS (APCI) m/z 311.1 (MH+).

EXAMPLE 2

[0151] Compounds with the general formula

[0152] were synthesised according to the method described in Example 1 R R2 R3 Analysis

Me Me m/z 311 (MH+)

Et H m/z 336 (MH+)

Me H m/z 331 (MH+)

Me H m/z 322 (MH+)

tBu H m/z 364 (MH+)

Ph H m/z 384 (MH+)

Me H m/z 381 (MH+) CN

H m/z 338 (MH+) CN

H m/z 386 (MH+) CN

H m/z 308 (MH+) Br

H m/z 393 (MH+) Br

H m/z 443 (MH+) Br

H m/z 363 (MH+) OMe

H m/z 343 (MH+) OMe

H m/z 393 (MH+) OMe

H m/z 313 (MH+) Me

H m/z 327 (MH+) Me

H m/z 377 (MH+) Me

H m/z 297 (MH+) H

H m/z 313 (MH+) H

H m/z 363 (MH+) H

H m/z 283 (MH+)

m/z 281 (MH+)

Me H m/z 303 (MH+)⁽¹⁾

Me H m/z 365 (MH+)⁽¹⁾

Me H m/z 326 (MH+)

Me H m/z 315 (MH+)⁽¹⁾

Me H m/z 354 (MH+)⁽¹⁾

Me H m/z 327 (MH+)⁽¹⁾

Et H m/z 341 (MH+)⁽¹⁾

Et H m/z 378 (MH+)⁽¹⁾

Et H m/z 340 (MH+)⁽¹⁾

Et H m/z 395 (MH+)⁽¹⁾

Et H m/z 317 (MH+)⁽¹⁾

Ph H m/z 426 (MH+)⁽¹⁾

tBu H m/z 340 (MH+)⁽¹⁾

tBu H m/z 368 (MH+)⁽¹⁾

tBu H m/z 406 (MH+)⁽¹⁾

tBu H m/z 407 (MH+)⁽¹⁾

H m/z 360 (MH+)⁽¹⁾

5-[1-(Biphenyl-4-yloxy)-ethyl]-5-methyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0153] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 311.2 (MH+).

5-(4′-Cyano-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-5-ethyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0154] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 336.2 (MH+).

5-(4′-Chloro-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-5-methyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0155] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 331.2 (MH+).

5-(4′-Cyano-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-5-methyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0156] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 322.2 (MH+).

5-(4′-Cyano-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-5-tert-butyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0157] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 364 (MH+).

5-(4′-Cyano-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-5-phenyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0158] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 384 (MH+).

5-Methyl-5-[4-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-phenoxymethyl]-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0159] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 381.4 (MH+).

5-(4-Cyano-phenoxymethyl)-5-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0160] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 338.2 (MH+).

5-(4-Cyano-phenoxymethyl)-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0161] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 386.1 (MH+).

5-(4-Cyano-phenoxymethyl)-5-phenyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0162] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 308.1 (MH+).

5-(4-Bromo-phenoxymethyl)-5-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0163] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 393.1 (MH+).

5-(4-Bromo-phenoxymethyl)-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0164] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 442.9 (MH+).

5-(4-Bromo-phenoxymethyl)-5-phenyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0165] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 363.1 (MH+).

5-(4-Methoxy-phenoxymethyl)-5-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0166] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 343.2(MH+).

5-(4-Methoxy-phenoxymethyl)-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione LC-MS (APCI) m/z 393.2 (MH+). 5-(4-Methoxy-phenoxymethyl)-5-phenyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0167] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 313.2 (MH+).

5-(4-Methyl-phenoxymethyl)-5-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0168] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 327.1 (MH+).

5-(4-Methyl-phenoxymethyl)-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0169] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 377.1 (MH+).

5-(4-Methyl-phenoxymethyl)-5-phenyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0170] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 297.1 (MH+).

5-Phenoxymethyl-5-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0171] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 313.2 (MH+).

5-Phenoxymethyl-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0172] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 363 (MH+).

5-Phenoxymethyl-5-phenyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0173] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 283.2 (MH+).

6-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-1,3-diaza-spiro[4,4]nonane-2,4-dione

[0174] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 281 (MH+).

5-Methyl-5-[(4-thiophen-2-yl-phenoxymethyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0175] 1-(4-Thien-2-ylphenoxy)acetone (114 mg, 0.49 mmol), sodium cyanide (40 mg, 0.81 mmol), ammonium carbonate (222 mg, 2.85 mmol) water (5 ml) and ethanol were mixed and heated at 80° C. for 10 hours. After cooling the reaction mixture was treated with water, the solid was filtered off and dried to give 105 mg product.

[0176] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 303 (MH+). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.31 (3H, s); 3.95, 4.10 (2H, abq, J=9.8 Hz); 6.95 (2H, d); 7.08 (1H, dd); 7.37 (1H, d); 7.45 (1H, d); 7.55 (2H, d); 8.03 (1H, s).

[0177] The starting materials were prepared as follows:

[0178] 1(4-Iodophenoxy)acetone

[0179] 4-lodophenol (4.9 g, 22 mmol) was stirred together with potassium carbonate (4.7 g, 33 mmol), chloroacetone (4.5 ml, 55 mmol) and acetone at reflux for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water (100 mL), extracted with ethyl acetate (3×50 mL), the extracts were brine washed, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography eluting with dichloromethane.

[0180] LC-MS (APCI) /z 275 (MH+). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 2.26 (3H, s); 4.51 (2H, s); 6.65 (2H, 4); 7.57 (2H, d).

[0181] 1-(4-Thien-2-ylphenoxy)acetone

[0182] 1-(4-Iodophenoxy)acetone (192 mg, 0.69 mmol) was treated with thiophen-2-boronic acid (102 mg, 0.79 mmol), [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloro palladium (II) complex with dichloromethane (1:1) (36 mg), dimethylformamide (12 mL) and ammonium acetate (135 mg) were stirred together at 80 ° C. for 3 hours. After cooling the reaction mixture was treated with dilute hydrochloric acid and extracted into ethyl acetate. The product was purified by flash chromatography on silica, eluting with 50 % ethyl acetate: iso-hexane to give 114 mg product.

[0183] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 232 (MH+).

[0184] The following compounds were prepared as described in the synthesis of 5-methyl-5-[(4-thien-2-ylphenoxy)methyl]imidazolidine-2,4-dione

5-Methyl-5-(4′-(trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0185] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 365 (MH+). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.46 (3H, s); 4.05, 4.22 (2H, ABq, J=9.9 Hz); 7.04 (2H, d); 7.61 (2H, d); 7.04, 7.61 (4H, ABq, J=9.8 Hz).

5-(4′-(Methoxy-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-5-methyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0186] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 326 (MH+).

5-(4′-(Fluoro-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-5-methyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0187] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 315 (MH+). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ1,45 (3H, s); 4.02, 4.20 (2H, abq, J=9.9 Hz); 6.99 (2H, d); 7.12 (2H, t); 7.50 (2H, d); 7.55 (2H, dd).

N-[4′(4-Methyl-2,5-dioxo-imidazolidin-4-ylmethoxy)-biphenyl-3-yl]-acetamide

[0188] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 354 (MH+). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.46 (3H, s); 2.14 (3H, s); 2.15 (1H, s); 4.05, 4.20 (2H, abq, J=9.6 Hz); 7.00 (2H, d); 7.28-7.40 (3H, m); 7.46 (1H, bd); 7.53 (2H, d); 7.78-7.81 (1H, m).

5-(3′-Methoxy-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-5-methyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0189] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 327 (MH+). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.45 (3H, s); 3.83 (3H, s); 4.04, 4.20 (2H, abq, J=9.6 Hz); 6.85 (1H, dd); 6.99 (2H, d); 7.08 (1H, m); 7.12 (1H, d); 7.30 (1H, t); 7.53 (2H, d).

5-Ethyl-5-(4′-(methoxy-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0190] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 341 (MH+). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 0.48 (3H, t); 1.56-1.74 (2H, m); 3.77 (3H, s); 3.97, 4.11 (2H, abq, J=10.0 Hz); 6.94-7.00 (4H, m); 7.49-7.54 (4H, m); 7.97 (1H, s); 10.71 (1H, brs)

5-Ethyl-5-(4′-(trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0191] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 378 (MH+). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 0.83 (3H, t); 1.66 (2H, oct); 4.01, 4.14 (2H, abq, J=9.8 Hz); 7.04 (2H, d); 7.67 (2H, d); 7.75 (2H, d); 7.84 (2H, d); 8.01 (1H, s); 10.75 (1H, bs).

5-Ethyl-5-(3′-(methoxy-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0192] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 340 (MH+). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 0.83 (3H, t); 1.65 (2H, oct); 3.76 (3H, s); 3.97, 4.10 (2H, abq, J=9.7 Hz); 6.93-6.99 (3H, m); 7.49-7.53 (3H, m); 7.99 (1H, s); 10.74 (1H, bs).

5-Ethyl-5-(4′-(trifluoromethoxy-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0193] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 395 (MH+). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 0.84 (3H, t); 1.56-1.74 (2H, m); 4.00, 4.13 (2H, abq, J=10.9 Hz); 7.01 (2H, d); 7.40 (2H, d); 7.61, 7.72 (4H, abq, J=8.9 Hz); 7.79 (1H, s); 10.72 (1H, bs).

5-Ethyl-5-[(4-thiophen-2-yl-phenoxymethyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0194] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 317 (MH+). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 0.82 (3H, t); 1.54-1.74 (2H, m); 3.97, 4.12 (2H, abq, J=10.0 Hz); 6.95 (2H, d); 7.08 (1H, dd); 7.37 (1H, dd); 7.44 (1H, dd); 7.55 (2H, d); 7.98 (1H, s); 10.67 (1H, s).

5-Phenyl-5-(4′-(trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0195] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 426 (MH+). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 4.21, 4.62 (2H, abq, J=10.1 Hz); 7.10 (2H, d); 7.38-7.47 (3H, m); 7.61-7.69 (4H, m); 7.76, 7.84 (4H, abq, J=8.8 Hz); 8.76 (1H, s); 10.92 (1H, bs).

5-tert-Butyl-5-(4-pyridin-3-yl-phenoxymethyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0196] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 340 (MH+) ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.02 (9H, s); 4.15, 4.36 (2H, abq, J=9.9 Hz); 7.10 (2H, d); 7.70-7.75 (3H, m); 8.08 (1H, s); 8.39 (1H, dd); 8.65 (1H, dd); 9.00 (1H, s).

5-tert-Butyl-5-(4′-methoxy-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0197] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 368 (MH+). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.01 (9H, s); 3.76 (3H, s); 4.10, 4.31 (2H, abq, J=9.7 Hz); 6.95-7.01 (4H, dd); 7.48-7.55 (4H, dd); 8.05 (1H, s); 10.59 (1H, bs).

5-tert-Butyl-5-(3′-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0198] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 406 (MH+). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.01 (9H, s); 4.14, 4.35 (2H, abq, J=9.6 Hz); 7.06 (2H, d); 7.65-7.69 (4H, m); 7.89 (1H, s); 7.93 (1H, t); 8.08 (1H, s); 10.65 (1H, s).

5-tert-Butyl-5-(4′-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0199] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 407 (MH+). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.03 (9H, s); 4.15, 4.36 (2H, abq, J=10.0 Hz); 7.07, 7.68 (4H, abq, J=8.9 Hz); 7.76, 7.84 (4H, abq, J=8.9 Hz); 8.08 (1H, s); 10.67 (1H, s).

5-(Biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-5-pyridin-4-yl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0200] LC-MS (APCI) m/z 360 (MH+). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD): δ 4.41, 4.71 (2H, ABq, J=9.7 Hz); 7.02 (2H, d); 7.28 (1H, t); 7.39 (2H, t); 7.55 (2H, d); 8.14 (2H, d); 8.81 (2H, d).

EXAMPLE 3

[0201] Compounds with the general formula

[0202] were synthesised according to the method described in Example 1 R R2 Analysis⁽¹⁾

Me m/z 313 (MH+)

Me —

Me m/z 397 (MH+)

5-[(1,1′-biphenyl-4-ylthio)methyl]-5-methylimidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0203] LC-MS(APCI) m/z 313 (MH+). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.36 (3H, s); 3.28 (2H, s); 7.34 (1H, t); 7.44 (4H, t); 7.60 (2H, d); 7.64 (2H, d); 7.97 (1H, s); 10.74 (1H, bs).

[0204] The starting material was prepared as follows:

[0205] 1-(1,1′-biphenyl-4-ylthio)propan-2-one

[0206] 1-[(4-bromophenyl)thio]propan-2-one (357 mg, 1.46 mmol) was treated with phenyl boronic acid (231 mg, 1.89 mmol), [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloro palladium (II) complex with dichloromethane (1:1) (36 mg), toluene (20 ml), methanol (7.5 ml), saturated sodium carbonate solution (3.5 ml) and were stirred together at 80° C. for 18 hours. After cooling the reaction mixture was treated with dilute hydrochloric acid and extracted into ethyl acetate. The product was purified by flash chromatography on silica, eluting with 25% ethyl acetate:iso-hexane to give 277 mg product.

[0207] GC/MS m/z: 242 [M+]. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 2.33 (3H, s); 3.73 (2H, s); 7.37 (1H, s); 7.42-7.48 (4H, m); 7.45-7.59 (4H, m).

[0208] The following compounds were prepared as described in the synthesis of 5-[(1,1′-biphenyl-4-ylthio)methyl]-5-methylimidazolidine-2,4-dione

4′-{[(4-methyl-2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-4-yl)methyl]thio}-1,1′-biphenyl-4-carbonitrile

[0209] The starting material, 4′-[(2-oxopropyl)thio]-1,1′-biphenyl-4-carbonitrile, was prepared as described in the synthesis of 1-(1,1′-biphenyl-4-ylthio)propan-2-one. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.37 (3H, s); 3.30 (2H, s); 7.45, 7.67 (4H, abq, J=7.5 Hz); 7.88 (4H, q); 7.99 (1H, s); 10.75 (1H, bs).

5-methyl-5-[({4′-[(trifluoromethyl)oxy]-1,1′-biphenyl-4-yl}thio)methyl]imidazolidine-2,4-dione

[0210] The starting material, 1-({4′-[(trifluoromethyl)oxy]-1,1′-biphenyl-4-yl}thio)propan-2-one, was prepared as described in the synthesis of 1-(1,1′-biphenyl-4-ylthio)propan-2-one.

[0211] LC-MS(APCI) m/z very weak 397 (MH+). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.33 (3H, s); 3.29 (2H, s); 7.42-7.45 (4H, m); 7.61 (2H, d); 7.77 (2H, d); 7.99 (1H, s); 10.75 (1H, s). 

What we claim is:
 1. A compound of the formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof

wherein X is selected from NR1, O, S; Y1 and Y2 are independently selected from O, S; Z is selected from O, S; A is selected from a direct bond, (C1-6)alkyl, (C1-6)haloalkyl, or (C1-6)heteroalkyl containing a hetero group selected from N, O, S, SO, SO2 or containing two hetero groups selected from N, O, S, SO, SO2 and separated by at least two carbon atoms; R1 is selected from H, (C1-3)alkyl, haloalkyl; R2 and R3 are independently selected from H, halogen (preferably fluorine), alkyl, heteroalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkyl-heteroaryl, heteroalkyl-aryl, heteroalkyl-heteroaryl, aryl-alkyl, aryl-heteroalkyl, heteroaryl-alkyl, heteroaryl-heteroalkyl, aryl-aryl, aryl-heteroaryl, heteroaryl-aryl, heteroaryl-heteroaryl, cycloalkyl-alkyl, heterocycloalkyl-alkyl, alkyl-cycloalkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl; R4 is selected from H, halogen (preferably fluorine), (C1-3)alkyl or haloalkyl; Each of the R2 and R3 radicals may be independently optionally substituted with one or more (preferably one) groups selected from alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, halo, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, thiol, alkylthiol, arylthiol, alkylsulfon, haloalkylsulfon, arylsulfon, aminosulfon, N-alkylaminosulfon, N,N-dialkylaminosulfon, arylaminosulfon, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, amido, N-alkylamido, N,N-dialkylamido, cyano, sulfonamino, alkylsulfonamino, arylsulfonamino, amidino, N-aminosulfon-amidino, guanidino, N-cyano-guanidino, thioguanidino, 2-nitro-ethene-1,1-diamin, carboxy, alkyl-carboxy, nitro, carbamate; Optionally R2 and R3 may join to form a ring comprising up to 7 ring atoms, or R2 and R4 may join to form a ring comprising up to 7 ring atoms, or R3 and R4 may join to form a ring comprising up to 7 ring atoms; R5 is a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic group comprising one, two or three ring structures each of up to 7 ring atoms independently selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl, with each ring structure being independently optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, alkylsulfonamino, alkylcarboxyamino, cyano, nitro, thiol, alkylthiol, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, carboxylate, alkylcarboxylate, aminocarboxy, N-alkylamino-carboxy, N,N-dialkylamino-carboxy, wherein any alkyl radical within any substituent may itself be optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, N-alkylsulfonamino, N-alkylcarboxyamino, cyano, nitro, thiol, alkylthiol, alkylsulfonyl, N-alkylaminosulfonyl, carboxylate, alkylcarboxy, aminocarboxy, N-alkylaminocarboxy, N,N-dialkylaminocarboxy, carbamate; when R5 is a bicyclic or tricyclic group, each ring structure is joined to the next ring structure by a direct bond, by —O—, by (C1-6)alkyl, by (C1-6)haloalkyl, by (C1-6)heteroalkyl, by (C1-6)alkenyl, by (C1-6)alkynyl, by sulfone, by CO, by S, or is fused to the next ring structure; Provided that when X is NR1, R1 is H, Y1 is O, Y2 is O, Z is O, R2 is methyl, R3 is H, R4 is H, and A is a direct bond, then R5 is not p-chloro-phenyl, o-methoxyphenyl, p-methoxyphenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl, o-nitrophenyl, p-nitrophenyl, 2-methoxy-4-aminophenyl, 2-methoxy-5-fluorophenyl or p-benzyloxyphenyl; when X is NR1, R1 is H, Y1 is O, Y2 is O, Z is O, R2 is phenyl, R3 is H, R4 is H and A is a direct bond, then R5 is not p-chloro-phenyl.
 2. A compound of the formula I as claimed in claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, wherein X is NR1, at least one of Y1 and Y2 is O, R1 is H, (C1-3) alkyl or (C1-3) haloalky.
 3. A compound of the formula I as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, wherein R2 is H, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxy alkyl, aminoalkyl, cycloalkyl-alkyl, alkyl-cycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkylaryl, alkyl-heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl-alkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl-alkyl, heteroalkyl-aryl.
 4. A compound of the formula I as claimed in any of the preceding claims or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, wherein each of R3 and R4 is independently selected from H, methyl.
 5. A compound of the formula I as claimed in any of the preceding claims or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, wherein R5 comprises one, two or three optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl 5 or 6 membered rings.
 6. A compound of the formula I as claimed in any of the preceding claims or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, wherein R5 is a bicyclic or tricyclic group comprising two or three optionally substituted ring structures.
 7. A compound of the formula II or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof

wherein each of G1 and G2 is a monocyclic ring structure comprising each of up to 7 ring atoms independently selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl, with each ring structure being independently optionally substituted by one or two substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, haloalkoxy, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, cyano, nitro, alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl sulfone, haloalkyl sulfone, alkylcarbamate, alkylamide, wherein any alkyl radical within any substituent may itself be optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, cyano, nitro, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, carbamate; Z is O or S; B is selected from a direct bond, O, (C1-6)alkyl, (C1-6)heteroalkyl; R2 is selected from H, (C1-6)alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, (N-alkylamino)alkyl, (N,N-dialkylamino)alkyl, amidoalkyl, thioalkyl, or R2 is a group of formula III

C and D are independently selected from a direct bond, H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, or (C1-C6)heteroalkyl containing one or two hetero atoms selected from N, O or S such that when two hetero atoms are present they are separated by at least two carbon atoms; G3 is a monocyclic ring structure comprising up to 7 ring atoms independently selected from cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl, optionally substituted by one or two substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, cyano, nitro, alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl sulfone, haloalkyl sulfone, or alkyl substituted with one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, cyano, nitro, alkoxy, haloalkoxy; Optionally R2 is substituted with halo, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, aminoalkyl, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, (N-alkylamino)alkyl, (N,N-dialkylamino)alkyl, alkylsulfone, aminosulfone, N-alkylamino-sulfone, N,N-dialkylamino-sulfone, amido, N-alkylamido, N,N-dialkylamido, cyano, sulfonamino, alkyl-sulfonamino, amidino, N-aminosulfone-amidino, guanidino, N-cyano-guanidino, thioguanidino, 2-nitroguanidino, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy, alkylcarboxy, carbamate; R3 and R4 are independently selected from H or (C1-3)alkyl; Optionally R2 and R3 may join to form a ring comprising up to 7 ring atoms, or R2 and R4 may join to form a ring comprising up to 7 ring atoms, or R3 and R4 may join to form a ring comprising up to 7 ring atoms.
 8. A compound of the formula II as claimed in claim 7 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, wherein B is a direct bond or O.
 9. A compound of the formula II as claimed in either claim 7 or claim 8 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, wherein R2 is selected from H, (C1-6)alkyl, aryl-(C1-6)alkyl or heteroaryl-(C1-6)alkyl optionally substituted with halo, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, aminoalkyl, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, (N-alkylamino)alkyl, (N,N-dialkylamino)alkyl, alkylsulfone, aminosulfone, N-alkylamino-sulfone, N,N-dialkylamino-sulfone, amido, N-alkylamido, N,N-dialkylamido, cyano, sulfonamino, alkyl-sulfonamino, amidino, N-aminosulfone-amidino, carboxy, alkylcarboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carbamate.
 10. A compound of the formula II as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, wherein each of R3 and R4 is H.
 11. A compound of the formula II as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, wherein each of G1 and G2 is an optionally substituted monocyclic group with each ring structure comprising up to 6 ring atoms independently selected from aryl or heteroaryl.
 12. A compound of the formula II as claimed in claim 11 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, wherein G1 is substituted with halogen, hydroxy, haloalkoxy, amido, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, wherein any alkyl radical within any substituent may itself be optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cyano, carbamate.
 13. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of the formula I as claimed in claim 1 or a compound of the formula II as claimed in claim 7 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 14. A method of treating a metalloproteinase mediated disease or condition which comprises administering to a warm-blooded animal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formulae I or II or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof.
 15. Use of a compound of the formulae I or II or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable precursor thereof in the preparation of a medicament for use in the treatment of a disease or condition mediated by one or more metalloproteinase enzymes. 